Using windows xp: click on start> then run> then type "cmd" and hit enter.
Type "ipconfig" and hit enter.
You are looking for a default gateway address, usually "192.168.1.254" on 2wire gateways.

Skip the vista section if you are using xp
Using Windows Vista: click start> then click on the search bar and type "cmd" and hit enter.
Type "ipconfig" and hit enter.
You are looking for a default gateway address, usually "192.168.1.254" on 2wire gateways.

Once you find the gateway address, you now have the website address you need to get to your 2wire. Open internet explorer and type that default gateway address in the address bar.

This should take you to a 2wire homepage. At the top click on the "home network" or "local network" tab at the top.
Once there, click on the wireless network link at the top. It will prompt for a password, if you do not know the password, click I forgot for a hint. Click I still cannot remember if the hint doesn't help, it will ask for a system key, which is a 10-digit number on the bottom of the 2wire.

After entering the password you will be in the wireless settings window where you can change the security type to any available that the 2wire has, if it doesn't have it available call the provider and see if they have a firmware upgrade available.

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Related Questions:

Theencryption key secures your data from unauthorized access.
The router's password is a Passphrase or the WEP or WPA orWPA2 encryption key.
The Passphrase generates the WEP or WPA or WPA2 encryptionkey and this is in the router's wireless settings.
To connect to your wireless router, it needs the router'swireless settings configured ie SSID, WPA or WPA2 encryption key and also thewireless cards in all the laptops and or computers needs to be configured withthese router's wireless settings. Then the laptops and desktop computers cancommunicate with your wireless router.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is an advancement over WEP (Wired
Equivalent Privacy). While connecting to a home network, you are often
asked to insert a WPA key or a password to which users often ask, "How
Do I Find My Computer's WPA Key?"
WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. It is a standard security protocol implemented by Wi-Fi alliance to secure wireless computer networks. WPA standard is advancement over(Wired Equivalent Privacy)
Wep is standard that had several security issues. WPA implements most of the
IEEE 802.11i standard and provides greater security than WEP. While
connecting to your home network, you are often asked to insert a WPA
key. This WPA key is either located in the modem or in the router you
are using. In order to find your computer's WPA key, follow the steps
given below:
How to find your computer's WPA key
Step 1: First of all, you need to launch an internet browser. Press "Windows + R" keys to open the "Run" prompt and type "iexplore" without quotes to open Internet Explorer. You can also type "firefox" to open Mozilla Firefox. On the address bar at the top, type http://192.168.1.1 (Belkin routers use 192.168.2.1 as the default IP) and press "Enter" key. This address belongs to your wireless modem or wireless router to which you are connected.Step 2: A window asking for username and password will appear. In the username field, type "admin" without quotes and in the password field, either type "password" without quotes or leave the password field blank. Press "Enter" key to continue. If password is correct, you will be redirected to the modem/router's "Settings"
page, otherwise, you will have to reset the modem/router. Check beneath
the modem/router or check the manual for correct password. To Reset a modem/router,
locate a small hole at the back of the modem/router and insert a pin to
press the switch inside it. Keep the switch pressed for about 20-30
seconds after which the modem/router will restore the settings to "factory defaults" and reboot itself. Repeat the step 2, in order to gain access to "Settings" page.Step 3: On the modem/router's "Settings" page, find "Wireless" option. Click the "Wireless" link to populate the wireless settings. Now, locate and click the "Security" or "Advanced Security" option. On
the security page, you will find "Network Authentication". Different
options available under the Network Authentication menu are open,
shared, WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, etc. Select either WPA or
WPA2, to find your computer's WPA key and insert this key when asked
for. If in step 2, you had reset the modem/router, you will not
find any WPA or WPA2 key, and you will have to manually assign one.
Select any of the WPA-PSK or any other authentication and assign a key
to it. A key can be 8-63 long. For minimal security, you can choose 8
characters key, like "iN\/5R92". For maximum security, choose 63 characters key like, "sJ0esmoU2cBD\m+oMp$nrXj5XPVRTvVA5fpwGSGI\RVz4RdQ7V3y\l$P1NrT9Be". After you have assigned a key, save/apply the changes and reboot the modem/router.Note:The
procedure shown above is common to most of the modems/routers. If this
doesn't apply to you, check your modem/router's manual to find the
wireless security option.

There a great article at General Router Setup.If you need more help post back!Thumbs and testimonial are welcome!

First, you must find your WAN (wide-area-network) connection. This is the connection to the Internet, and you must connect this cable to your modem. The modem should have a site that indicates that "WAN" or "Internet" on it - the main outlet to the Internet connection in the cable.

Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the modem. This is not permanent, but you need to set up the wireless network. Open a Web browser, type the IP address of the modem (usually something like 192 168 .. 1. 1), and the connection with the username and password. This information should be provided in the operations manual of the router - all routers are different, it is beyond the scope of this article to describe each situation.

Once you are in the wireless modem, you must enable certain security settings. The first step is to encrypt network traffic. Each screen in the modem must have an entry "Network Encryption" button (or something like that). There are three main types of encryption: WEP and WPA have been cracked, while WPA-II (at the time of this writing) is secure. If your modem is new, you should be able to encrypt with WPA-II. Define a secure password by following the advice in the article linked in the Resources section.

Change the SSID (network name) to something other than the default, when the networks have the default SSID is an open door for hackers because it is assumed that security is low.

The 2-Wire comes with built-in Wireless key, WEP-10 digit key, which is located at the bottom of the product, near the bar code label. However, you can also change the default WEP Wireless security key.You can view the complete details to change the default Wireless key in the link posted below.

there is a way to reset the modem but you will lose your configuration and you would have to start all over again.
on the back of the modem where you connect the cables there is a tiny hole it may say reset.
with the modem on, go ahead and stick a pen, toothpick or something of that nature in to the reset hole and hold it for about 10 seconds, you would see the lights go out and come back on. at that moment go ahead and release the tiny button and wait for modem to come back on.
At this point you can go ahead and reconfigure it, you have to enable the wireless feature, enable you password (both set up and configuration), rename your network, etc. DO NOT keep the default settings and try to use WPA instead of WEP is harder to crack.
for you to do all of this you have to connect your computer to the modem with a cable and type the address to access it or open ie and type homeportal in the address bar. it should take you to the configuration page (if it is a 2wire modem).

Securing your wireless network is a simple process, which generally does not require a lot of time. This can be done by:

Enabling WEP or WPA on the Router

Enabling Wireless MAC filter on the Router

Disabling SSID Broadcast on the Router

NOTE: The wireless security modes available may vary depending on the model of the router and wireless adapter you are using.Enabling WEP on the RouterWired Equivalent Protocol (WEP) is a type of wirelesssecurity which does not change. It provides comparable confidentialityto a traditional wired network. There are two types of WEP you canchoose from:a. WEP 64-bit: This type of WEP consists of 10-hexadecimal codes. To enable WEP 64-bit, click here.b. WEP 128-bit:This type of WEP consists of 26-hexadecimal codes hence it is moresecured compared to WEP 64-bit. To enable WEP 128-bit, click here.Enabling WPA on the RouterWi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a type of wireless securitywhich is dynamic in nature. Meaning, it changes depending on the timerenewal you will specify. Hence, WPA is more secured compared to WEP.

wep key and the wpa pass phrase is a wireless security option in the wireless option you got it to protect the wireless connection and you have the wireless router or modem or access point in that option you got it for the wireless security.

If your linux is detecting the modem then it is supported in linux so now its just a matter of working out the communication details. Make sure the connection your trying to connect to is using WPA or WEP because they are two different types of protocols. I suggest WPA because it's a lot more secure. WEP can be cracked in 5 minutes. You may have to play around with the settings a little. If you don't know how to then write back and tell me what the name of your linux is and what protocol you want to use and I can help troubleshoot the problem. It could be that the connection is taking a long time and that you have the timeout set too short.

make sure you have the correct settings such as the type of security wep,wpa,wpa-psk,etc...make sure your security key is correctly entered, If your not sure open up a web browser and put http://gateway.2wire.net in the address bar go to your wireless security part of the modem and check your settings best thing to do is to hardwire to the pc and then go to that link. what kind of operating system do you have ?